WV Center on Budget and Policy’s ‘Kids Count Data Book’ shows 25% of state’s children live in poverty

RealWV Staff

The West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy (WVCBP), along with the Maryland-based Annie E. Casey Foundation, has released its 2024 “Kids Count” data book. 

This data book provides both statewide and county-by-county information on the well-being of children, and informs advocates, the public and policymakers on how best to improve the lives of children living in West Virginia.

According to information from the data book, West Virginia ranks 44th in overall child well-being as compared to other states. 

“West Virginia’s 55 counties vary widely in measurements of child well-being,” according to a press release issued on Dec. 12. “In addition to demographics, income, and poverty data, the individual county fact sheets include data under four key categories: education, health, economic, and family and community. Statewide data is also provided for comparison.”

Sean O’Leary, WVCBP senior policy analyst said, “The county-level data presented here reinforce the importance of policy decisions on the well-being of West Virginia’s children. While state and federal policymakers have prioritized child and family health during and following the pandemic, policies that would increase economic stability and improve educational outcomes have not been adequately addressed. West Virginia policymakers must recognize the inherent link between poverty and overall well-being to truly address the needs of the state’s children and families.”

Statewide data from the “Kids Count” data book: 

• 25 percent of children in West Virginia lived in poverty, or with a household income below $23,030 for a family of three.
• The median household income in the state was $54,329. 
• One in five children in West Virginia were food insecure, or did not have enough to eat and did not know where their next meal would come from. 
• West Virginia has 245,047 children enrolled in public schools. 
• 2.6 percent of children under the age of six lacked health insurance, while 47.4 percent of children were insured through Medicaid, the joint state and federal government program that provides health insurance to low-income children and adults.
• There were 5,967 children in state custody as part of the child welfare system

Greenbrier County

• 27.8 percent of children in Greenbrier County lived in poverty. 
• The median household income in Greenbrier County was $45,519. 
• Greenbrier County has 4,555 children enrolled in public schools. 22 percent have special needs. 
• Six percent of children under the age of six lacked health insurance, while 57.4 percent of children were insured through Medicaid. 
• 107 children in Greenbrier County were in state custody. 

Monroe County

• 22.3 percent of children in Monroe County lived in poverty.
• The median household income in Monroe County was $52,392.
• Monroe County has 1,614 children enrolled in public schools. 17.8 percent have special needs. 
• 0.8 percent of children under the age of six lacked health insurance, while 67.9% of children were insured through Medicaid. 

Summers County

• 36.8 percent of children in Summers County lived in poverty. 
• The median household income in Summers County was $42,991. 
• Summers County has 1,210 children enrolled in public schools. 21.2 percent have special needs. 
• 12.3 percent of children under the age of six lacked health insurance, while 67.4% of children were insured through Medicaid. 
• 15 children in Summers County were in state custody. 

Fayette County

• 30.2 percent of children in Fayette County lived in poverty. 
• The median household income in Fayette County was $50,090. 
• Fayette County has 5,371 children enrolled in public schools. 20.6 percent have special needs. 
• 70.9 percent of children were insured through Medicaid. 
• 141 children in Fayette County were in state custody. 

Raleigh County

• 28 percent of children in Raleigh County lived in poverty. 
• The median household income in Raleigh County was $47,975. 
• Raleigh County has 10,537 children enrolled in public schools. 20.8 percent have special needs. 
• 52.2 percent of children were insured through Medicaid. 
• 129 children in Raleigh County were in state custody. 

Kanawha County

• 23.9 percent of children in Kanawha County lived in poverty. 
• The median household income in Kanawha County was $55,226. 
• Kanawha County has 23,437 children enrolled in public schools. 19.1 percent have special needs. 
• 48.5 percent of children were insured through Medicaid. 
• 1,266 children in Kanawha County were in state custody. 

Complete statewide and county-by-county information from the data book can be found here: https://wvpolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/WVCBP_2024KidsCountDataBook_12-09-2024.pdf

For additional data related to children, youth, and families in West Virginia, visit the KIDS COUNT Data Center.